Flashlight



April 8, 1947- w. c. cRlMMxNs 2,418,759

FLASHLIGHT Filed sept. 21, 1944 ILSSLA); Q.

v JNVENTOR. 60 h/z'ZZz'a/f( (f rip/515226.

Patented Apr. 8, 1947 FLASHLIGHT William C. Crimmins, Marion, Ind., assignor to Delta Electric Company, Marion, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application September 21, 1944, Serial No. 555,062

(ci. 20o-60) 4 Claims.

1 This invention relates to flashlights and particularly to a switch and switch operating mechanism therefor in which the switch elements and conductor are sealed against contact with water and yet are readily operable from the exterior of the ashlight casing.

Objects of the invention include the provision of a switch mechanism for a flashlight, :the contacts of which are sealed against contact with moisture even though the flashlight is submerged in water; the provision of a switch mechanism for a flashlight including a movable Contact and a Xed contact, the movable contact being carried by a diaphragm sealing it against contact with water, together with means for flexing the diaphragm to effect the desired movement of the movable contact; the provision of a construction as above described in which the contacts are positioned in a pocket in the flash-- light casing and the diaphragm carrying the movable contact member is sealed about its margins to the casing thereby to provide a watertight closure for said pocket; the provision of a construction as above described in which the 'diaphragm is provided with a control member through which flexing of the same and, therefore, movement of the movable Contact may be effected; the provision of a construction as above described in which the control member is fixed to the diaphragm at the same area thereof at which the movable Contact member is fixed thereto; the provision of a construction as above described including means overlying the diaphragm in protecting relation with respect thereto and screw means securing the last-mentioned means and the diaphragm to the casing; and the provision of a novel operating means for the switch mechanism on a flashlight.

The above being among the objects of the present invention, the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in View.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment of the present invention and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is a vertical, sectional view taken diametrically through a iiashlight embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken in the same plane as Fig. 1 and illustrating the switch mechanism in enlarged sec- 2 tional view, showing the same in the position in which the circuit to the flashlight may be closed by manual pressure applied directly downwardly on the control member;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the thumbpiece moved to its forward DOStOll in which it acts to hold the switch in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the same plane as in the preceding figures but illustrating the thumbpiece moved to its rearwardmost position whereby to lock the switch against actuation; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken on the line :2 5 of Fig. 2.

The present invention relates to a switch mechanism for flashlights so constructed and arranged that although the switch may be operated from the exterior of the flashlight the switch contact elements and the conductor elements for the flashlight circuit may be completely Sealed from contact with moisture or water even though the flashlight is submerged in water. Obviously the switch mechanism may be applied to ashlights of different types and forms of construction for if the flashlight casing is otherwise sealed against the entrance of water thereinto the switch mechanism of the present invention may be employed therewith to provide a completely water-tight flashlight the circuit of which may be opened and closed from the exterior of the casing.

The particular ashlight shown by way of illustration comprises a casing I0 of generally hollow cylindrical construction having an integral closed end l2 and its opposite end being open. The casing IU may be formed of any suitable electrically non-conducting material, or even of electrically conducting material where the contacts and conductors are suitably insulated therefrom, bu*l preferably and as in the case shown it is formed from a moldable rubberlike, plastic, or other similar material.

With the exception of the open forward end of the casing I0 it is imperforate and impervious to the passage of water therethrough and in those instances where rivets project through its walls the rivets are arranged in water-tight relation with respect thereto.

The open forward end of the casing l0 is exteriorly threaded and threadably receives thereon a ring member I4 the forward edge of which is provided with a radially inturned annular flange I6.' Between the forward edge of the casing lil and the flange I6 is received rst a conventional metal reflector i8 and then a transparent lens or closure 2d. The lens 2B is peripherally surrounded by an annular sealing element 22 of suitable character such as rubber or the like, the axially inner face of which abuts against the peripheral flange 24 of the reflector i8. Positioned between the flange 24 and the forward edge of the body Il! is a sealing washer 25 of suitable material such as rubber, cork or the like. It will be appreciated that when the parts are in the relation shown and the ringr I4 is threaded inwardly upon the body i8 the sealing elements 22 and 26 form an effective seal between the lens 2B and the body i8 amply sufficient to prevent any moisture finding its way into the interior of the casing I at this point even though the latter is submerged in water.

The reflector i8 is conventionally provided with a threaded metallic rearward extension 28 centrally thereof in which the base 3l) of an electric lamp bulb 32 is threadably received. Rearwardly of the reflector i8 a cup-shaped member 34 of electrically insulating material is threaded upon the exterior of the sleeve 28. The member 34 is centrally provided in its closed end with a contact member 35 which interiorly of the member 35 is in electrical contact with a coil spring 35 which in turn presses against the central contact of the base 38 of the bulb 32. The contact 35 lies in engagement with the central carbon contact 3S of an electric battery 4S. One or more batteries 4S may be employed in the flashlight, the particular size of flashlight shown including two batteries El arranged in series, that is with the central carbon contact 38 of the rearwardmost battery in contact with the bottom of the forward.- most battery 4S.

A strip conductor 42 extends longitudinally of the body lil in contact with the inner wall thereof and is secured to the body at its `forward end by means of a rivet 44. At its rear end the conductor 42 extends down across the inner surface of the end wall l2 as at 4B. A frusto-conically shaped coil spring 48 is held under compression between the end 6 of the conductor 42 and the bottom of the rearmost battery 4D, thus serving to electrically connect them and, at the same time, urges the batteries 40 forwardly so as to maintain contact between the batteries 40 and between the forward battery 4U and the Contact 35.

A spring-like conductor element 50 having a forward free end constantly flexed towards contact with the reflector l is secured to the body il! in forwardly spaced relation with respect to the forward end of the conductor 42 by means of a rivet 52. It will thus be appreciated that if the rivets 44 and 52 are electrically connected together an electrical circuit will be established between the batteries 4G and the lamp 32 through the coil spring 38, conductor 42, rivets 44 and 52,

conductor 59, reflector I8 through the lamp and its lament and through the spring 36 within the members 32 back to the batteries 4i).

The mechanism for controlling the closing and opening of the circuit between the rivets 44 and 52 constitute the gist of the present invention and is as follows.

The side walls of the casing are thickened as indicated at 60 over a length such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and over a width such as illustrated in Fig. 5. This thickened portion 60 is provided with a recess or pocket 62 therein opening onto its radially outer face and the side walls of such pocket are outwardly stepped approximately 4 vay the depth of the pocket to form outwardly l, ig shoulders E4. A diaphragm 6E, shown in exaggerated thickness, of the size and contour of the cross-sectional configuration of the pocket in the plane of the shoulder 64, is relatively closely but removably received in the pocket 62 immediately above the shoulder G4. A sealing gasket E3 of substantially the size and contour of the shoulder 56 is interposed between the diaphragm and the shoulder 54 and a similar sealing gasket overlies the upper face of the diaphragm 55. Overlying the gasket 10 is a relatively rigid preferably metallic member 'i2 having a main body portion of substantially the same size, shape and contour as the gasket 10 and it is provided around its outer margins with an upwardly projecting ange 'I4 terminating in an outwardly projecting lip lli, the former of which overlies the radially outer portion of the pocket 62 and the latter of which overlies the margin thereof. The primary function of the member 12 is to serve as a clamping flange for clamping the margin of the diaphragm 6G between the gaskets 68 and 'I0 and all against 'the shoulder 64, the flanges 14 and aiding in stiifening it the better to serve this i purpose. Screws 58, one positioned at each end of the pocket 62 project down through the member the gaskets 68 and 1G, and the diaphragm 8S and thread into the casing I0, preferably into metal inserts 89 molded into the casing l0 for reception of the same. As will be appreciated the s^rews E8 in being drawn down seal the diaphragm to the walls of the pocket 62 and particularly to the shoulder 64.

The diaphragm being imperforate and impervious to the passage of water, it thus forms a chamber 82 in the bottom of the pocket 62 which is sealed against the entrance of Water from the outside of the casing. Although the bottom wall of the pocket 62 is preferably imperforate except for the rivets 44 and 52 which are sealed therein it will, of course, be appreciated that as far as the present invention is concerned the bottom wall of the pocket 62 may be perforate without affecting the operability or effectiveness of the present construction in any way. However, when the bottom wall of the pocket 62 is imperforate as shown, then the chamber 82 is hermetically sealed.

The diaphragm 88 is formed of flexible, resilient material and while it may be either metallic or non-metallic it is preferably the former in the interest of longevity.

To the bottom face of the diaphragm 66 and preferably rearwardly of the center thereof as shown is fixed a conductor element 84 by means of a rivet 8S. Forwardly of the rivet 86 the conductor element 84 which forms a movable switch element for the flashlight is preferably bent out of contacting relation with respect to the diaphragm B6 and extends forwardly from the rivet 85 into overlying relationship with respect to the head of the rivet 52. The relation of the contact element S4 and the head of the rivet 52 is such that when the diaphragm 65 is in its normal and unflexed condition the element 84 is spaced from the head of the rivet 52 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The contact element is electrically connected to the rivet 44 in any suitable way, but where the diaphragm is of metal as assumed it is best accomplished by a resilient conductor such as S5 clamped at one end between the head of the rivet 44 and the body l0 and arranged with its opposite end resiliently pressing against the diaphragm 66 as shown.

It will be appreciated that if the diaphragm 66 is flexed in a direction to move the forward end of the contact element 84 downwardly such forward end of the contact element 84 will contact the head of the rivet 52 and will complete the circuit through the flashlight, and such flexingv of the diaphragm 66 is employed to control the opening and closing of the circuit.

In the broader aspects of the invention any suitable means may be employed for controlling the flexing of the diaphragm 06 for the purpose described but the particular means shown is a preferred means and constitutes a more limited phase of the present invention. This means comprises a relatively rigid arm 90 fixed at its rear end to the upper face of the diaphragm 66, preferably at the same area thereof to which the rear end of the contact element 84 is fixed thereto. While it may be Xed to the diaphragm 66 independently of the contact element 84, for the purpose of ease and economy in assembly and efflciency in operation it is preferably fixed thereto by the same rivet 86 as is employed to fix the contact element 84 to the diaphragm 66 and this is the construction shown.

Forwardly of the rivet 8d the control member 90 is bent upwardly as at 92 at an angle to form a cam surface and then extends forwardly as at 94 in normally parallel relation with respect to the diaphragm 65 to a position substantially even with the forward end of the Contact element 84. An operating member in the form of a headed and shouldered rivet-like post 96 is fixed to the portion 94 and projects outwardly therefrom in generally radial direction with respect to the axis of the flashlight. A metal strip member 90 overlies the control member s and is provided with inwardly offset end portions which are secured in flat contacting relationship with respect to the member 'l2 by means of the screws 'I8 which project through such offset ends as well as through the parts previously described, thereby serving to releasably connect all of these parts together. The member 98 is centrally provided with a longitudinally extending slot |00 through which the post 96 freely projects.

From the above it will be appreciated that if manual pressure is applied downwardly upon the head of the post 96, as for instance by the thumb of the operator, this downward movement of the post 96 will cause a movement of the control member 90 equivalent to a pivotal movement of the same about a transverse lying substantially in the plane of the diaphragm 66 somewhere in the neighborhood of the rivet 86, and will cause a similar movement of the movable contact element 84 to bring the free end thereof into contact with the rivet 52 and thereby close the circuit to the flashlight. The diaphragm 66 will be deformed during such operation sunlciently to permit the movements described but without in any way affecting it sealed relation with respect to the walls of the pocket 62. When pressure is released on the head of the rivet 96 the natural resiliency of the diaphragm 66 will return it to its normal flat condition in which the contact element 84 is spaced from the head of the rivet 52, thereby placing the flashlight circuit in open position.

In order to hold the postr 96 in depressed or circuit closed position without requiring constant application of manual pressure thereto, and to provide means for locking the post 96 against inadvertent inward displacement when undesired, the following mechanism is provided. Po-

sitioned'on top ofthe member 98 is a member indicated generally at ||0 having a flat forward portion I I2 and a rear raised portion ||4 serving as a thumbpiece. As best brought out in Fig. 5 the member ||0 is provided at its opposite sides with a pair of lugs or extensions IIS which are bent down around the sides of the member 98 and then under a pair of superimposed members IIB and |20 underlying the member 98 at this point, the lugs ||6 being set into the outer marginal edges of the members IES and |20 so as to lock these members against relative longitudinal movement with respect to the member I I0.

The member |I8 as best brought out in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 is of spring-like metal provided adjacent its rear end with an upwardly projecting boss or pimple |22, the member |20 being of shorter and more rigid construction and serving to iirmly anchor and clamp the member ||8 to the member ||0. The rear or free end of the member ||8 is biased upwardly so as to constantly urge the boss |22 upwardly into contact with the lower face of the member 98 and the lower face of the member 98 is provided with three longitudinally spaced depressions or holes |24 for reception thereof in each of the three operating positions of the member ||0 so as to resiliently maintain the member |I0 in any one of such positions when desired.

The forward portion ||2 of the member ||0 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot |26 therein of a width slightly greater than the width of the head of the post 96 and of a length of considerably greater dimension. When the member I 29 is in its central position, that is in which the projection |22 is received within the center hole or depression |24, in other words in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, then the post 96 is positioned substantially midway the length of the slot |26 in the member ||0 and consequently the post 06 may be pressed inwardly by manual pressure acting directly thereon to effect closing of the switch through contact of the elements 84 and 52, such switch being opened immediately upon release of such manual pressure.

On the other hand if it is desired to maintain the circuit in closed position without the necessity of maintaining manual pressure upon the post 96, then under such conditions and as illustrated in Fig. 3 the member |20 is moved forwardly to the extent of its movement in such direction and in moving forwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 3 from the position illustrated in Fig. 2 the forward edge of the member |20 will contact the cam surface 92 of the control member 94 and in riding over it will force the free end portion 94 of the control member downwardly as illustrated in Fig. 3 to place the switch mechanism in closed position as indicated in Fig. 3. In this position of the member I 0 the projection |22 will enter the forwardmost of the depressions or holes |24 to resiliently maintain the member I I0 in this position as long as desired.

On the other hand if it is desired to guard against inadvertent closing of the switch mechanism, then as illustrated in Fig. 4 the member I |0 is moved rearwardly to the full extent of its movement and under which conditions that portion of the forward end ||2 of the member |I0 forming the forward margins of the slot |26 therein will be moved into underlying relationship with respect to the head of the post 96. In this position of the member IIO the engagement of the end I I2 thereof under the head of the post 96 will prevent the post 96 from being moved inwardly under manual pressure to a sufficient extent to bring the movable contact element 84 into contact with the rivet 52, and will thus effectively lock the switch mechanism against inadvertent operation under such conditions. In such position of the member H the projection i22 will enter the rearrnost hole or depression |24 of the member 98 to resiliently maintain the member l I0 in this position of operation.

From the above it will be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention a switch mechanism is provided which may be operated from the exterior of a flashlight casing to control the circuit for the flashlight and yet is such as to prevent any moisture from finding its way to the contacts, conductors, or other active electrical parts of the circuit within the flashlight and that, therefore, if the flashlight is otherwise sealed against the entrance of moisture thereinto the entire construction may be submerged in water Without deleteriously affecting the operation of the flashlight through contact oi moisture with the operating parts thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim by Letters Patent is:

1. In a flashlight, in combination, a casing, a contact element carried by and exposed on said casing, a flexible diaphragm disposed over said contact in spaced relation thereto and supported and sealed to said casing around its margins, the first-mentioned contact being located adjacent one margin of said diaphragm, a second contact member secured to said diaphragm adjacent the opposite side thereof and extending from its point of securement to said diaphragm to a position over` but normally spaced from the first-mentioned contact, and means for flexing said diaphragm whereby to cause said contacts to engage one another.

2. In a flashlight, in combination, a casing, a contact element carried by and exposed on said casing, a iiexible diaphragm disposed over said contact in spaced relation thereto and supported and sealed to said casing around its margins, the first-mentioned contact being located adjacent one margin of said diaphragm, a second contact member secured to said diaphragm adjacent the opposite side thereof and extending from its point of securement to said diaphragm r to a position over but normally spaced from the first-mentioned contact, and means for flexing said diaphragm comprising a member fixed to said diaphragm at approximately the same point on said diaphragm that said second contact ,f-

member is secured thereto.

3. In a ashlight, in combination, a casing having a pocket therein, a diaphragm sealed at its margins to said casing around the margins of said pocket, a pair of members xed to said diaphragm at one side of the center thereof and on opposite sides of said diaphragm, said members extending beyond the center of said diaphragm to the opposite side thereof, the outermost of said members being relatively rigid, and a contact carried by said casing in normally spaced relation with respect to the free end of the inner of said members, said inner of said members adapted t0 engage said contact upon exing of said diaphragm by pressure applied inwardly upon the free end of the outer of said members, said inner of said members and said contact being connected in the electrical circuit for said flashlight whereby to control the opening and closing of said circuit.

4. In a flashlight, in combination, a housing adapted to contain batteries and a lamp bulb and means forming an electrical circuit therefor, said casing having a pocket therein the side walls of which are stepped to provide an outwardly directed shoulder, switch means for said circuit forming means comprising a liexible metallic diaphragm received within said pocket and marginally sealed and secured to such shoulder, an elongated contact element in said circuit fixed at one end to said diaphragm adjacent one side of said pocket and extending from said end t0- wards the opposite side of said pocket, a second contact element in said circuit disposed in the bottom of said pocket in normally spaced relation with respect to the first-mentioned contact clement and adjacent the free end of the latter, and means for flexing said diaphragm whereby to bring said contact elements into contact with each other comprising a member fixed to the outer side of said diaphragm at substantially the same point of securement as the first-mentioned contact element therewith and extending in the same direction from its point of securement as the First-mentioned contact element, the last-mentioned member being disposed for application of manual pressure to its free end whereby to effect flexing of said diaphragm.

WILLIAM C. CRIMMINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Swiss Feb. 27, 1913 Number Number 

